whiplash

noun

whip·​lash ˈ(h)wip-ˌlash 

1

: the lash of a whip

2

: something resembling a blow from a whip

… the whiplash of fear …

—R. S. Banay

3

: injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck from the rear by another vehicle)

Examples of whiplash in a Sentence

He got whiplash when his car was rear-ended.

Recent Examples on the Web

The third and potentially largest storm, Farley said, is the regulatory whiplash that has accompanied the march toward lower carbon emissions. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026

The poll was conducted April 16-20, during which time the Strait of Hormuz was reopened by Iran, then closed again, an example of the whiplash that has characterized the conflict. —Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026

Boise residents may be feeling some weather whiplash. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 23 Apr. 2026

In California, some of those extreme events include the worst drought seasons on record in 2021 and 2022, followed by dramatic weather whiplash that led to widespread flooding in 2023, and an ongoing pattern of unpredictable and declining Sierra snowpacks. —Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for whiplash

• backlash
• chumash
• eyelash
• moustache
• mustache
• noncash
• potash
• rehash
• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache

Kids Definition

whiplash

noun

whip·​lash -ˌlash 

1

: the lash of a whip

2

: injury resulting from a sudden sharp jerking movement of the head and neck (as of a person in a car that is struck from behind by another car)

Medical Definition

whiplash

noun

whip·​lash ˈhwip-ˌlash, ˈwip- 

: injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck head-on or from the rear by another vehicle)